FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK, New Zealand – Several items are essential for exploring the magical Southern Alps mountains that run across New Zealand’s South Island: insect repellent, rain gear and ear plugs.

NEW YORK– After more than 16 years and nearly 2,600 telecasts, Jon Stewart can feel proud of his scads of Emmys and two Peabody Awards, his cultural gravitas (he hung with the Prez, both on and off the air!), even his reprobate status at Fox News.

NEW YORK – Silento, the 17-year-old rapper who’s having a pop culture moment with the dance craze to his debut song, says he wants to be a role model to the young kids who have posted videos dancing to his tune.

Q. My sister, “Helen,” and her first husband never had children. He died eight years ago. Helen has since remarried a wonderful man, a widower with two sons, a daughter and several grandchildren. He wants my sister to be a real grandmother to them.

Through Canonsburg General Hospital’s Speaker Series, physicians and other health-care professionals can present free programs on a variety of health-related topics. For a copy of the Speaker Series brochure, call 724-873-5835.

NEW YORK – Luke Bryan is easily the reigning prince of country music: He’s scored 10 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Country songs chart; he’s one of a few contemporary acts to sell out stadiums; and he’s achieved back-to-back multiplatinum albums.